2023 Institute Video Archive

CLICK ON VIDEOS BELOW TO VIEW PANEL DISCUSSIONS


The event has been formally approved by the State Bar of Texas for 4.25 hours, 2.25 of which are ethics hours. Please download and send your completed form to Laurie Pair for our MCLE documentation.

2023 VIRTUAL PAAT INSTITUTE

November 28 - December 1

Ethics Commission Update and Q&A

10:00 a.m. 

Welcome and Ethics Commission Update


Commission Executive Director J.R. Johnson will provide an overview of the relevant Commission rules and opinions of note since the last Institute. He will also touch on the recent statutory changes that impact the Texas ethics laws and discuss the upcoming TEC Sunset Review.


Presenter:

J.R. Johnson, Executive Director, Texas Ethics Commission 


10:30 a.m. 

Discussion with the Commission Chair


Ethics Commission Chair and longtime member of the lobby community, Randy Erben, will discuss the overall ethics environment in Texas and his changing role from a lobbyist turned Commission Chair. Discussion will include how the environment has changed over the years and advice for the lobby as we prepare for another interim and the 89th Session.


Presenter:

Randy Erben, Texas Ethics Commission Chair


Moderated by Andy Cates, Ethics Attorney

Review of the Texas Ethics Laws and Best Practices

10:00 a.m. 


Our esteemed panel of Texas ethics experts will help you navigate the interim and campaign season leading up to the  89th Session. Our experts will provide an overview of the important laws and processes you need to know to stay out of trouble, as well as provide an update on any current or anticipated commission actions of importance. This panel will end with a Q&A session, so bring your questions!


Presenters:

Elizabeth Hadley, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Ed Shack, Attorney

Moderated by Andy Cates, Ethics Attorney


11:00 a.m.


Ethics Commission Sunset

Our ethics panel will discuss some of the proposed ideas for change during the upcoming TEC Sunset Review Process. Please send us your proposals or questions here.

What you Need to Know about AI, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain (think Crypto)

10:00 a.m. 


In 2023 all businesses use the Cloud and the Internet, which means using AI, so it is imperative that lobbyists and government affairs professionals understand what the Cloud is and help ensure that there is proper Cybersecurity regardless of which country Cloud data is stored.  Blockchain is critical to the supply chain in 2023, so lobbyists and government affairs professionals need to understand it.  It is also critical to understand Cyber Risks including Ransomware, Privacy, and Business Email Compromise.  The presentation will include a discussion about Internet Jurisdiction.


Presenter: Peter Vogel, Lawyer, Arbitrator, Mediator, and Special Neutral  for complex IT and eCommerce disputes and contract negotiations. View Bio.

Campaign Season & Beyond - What to Expect

10:00 a.m. 


Our Texas media panel will discuss the legislative and political environment heading into the 2024 campaign season. The discussion will include key races to watch, predictions, as well as challenges and expectations for the Interim leading up to the 89th Texas Legislative Session.  


Presenters:


Moderator: Jim Henson -  Texas Politics Project


Gromer Jeffers, Political Reporter, Dallas Morning News


Harvey Kronberg, Publisher and chief bottle washer of the Quorum Report 

DAY 1:

View slides for both discussions here

DAY 2

View slides here


View the new Commission threshold chart here

DAY 3

View slides here


View "10 Commandments of Information Technology Contracts" here



View "Top 10 SaaS Issues" here

DAY 4